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I didn't ride for the last week and a half. I took a long bike trip several weeks ago and because of work and the weather changes I made lots of excuses not to ride since then. The sun comes up a lot later now and it's almost dark at 6:45 PM. You name the excuses and I used them.

However I took off from work a little early yesterday and got in a quick 30 miles. I stopped only when it got too dark. It felt great. I was really rested and it felt effortless. This morning I feel better than I have felt for days.

Oh I hear you bjlaw. I too have put off riding because I haven't been feeling well. I decided to go for a 20 mile ride on Sunday and boy that sure did wonders. I felt so good all day. Hubby even commented on the good mood Sunday. Nothing like a ride to make me feel better.

Recently completed a 20 miler on 2 hours sleep with a 6:00 AM start time after being up for 38 hours. Was fire road stuff nothing too technical just a bit rutty and hilly. I was wobbly starting out but after a few miles I felt great. I have always heard if you aren't feeling well do a little exercise and it will help you feel better. Believed it but never experienced it on this level before. My dad always said "you got to get the blood flowing", guess he was right.

It was a weekly scheduled ride that I thought would be a good gut check and kept the guys from questioning my manhood. Sometimes a man has to check and see if he still has some nads. I guess I passed.

As a guy who suffered a Mental deppression Illness ,a
couple of years ago
I went through all the doctors and psychiatric terms.
They fed me with the usual pills , Prosac, Peroxitine, etc,
non of this stuff did much good , but now if I am feeling low the best cure is to get on the bike and ride .

I start off feeling low but after a good run on the bike, on my return spirits have been lifted , life seems so much brighter and invigorated.
The sweetness of being at one with nature , the freedom to go anyplace I want lifts me more than any pills could ever do.

Thats all for now , all this philosifing has me reaching for my helmet.

Approaching it from a different angle - I often get grumpy and grouchy if I don't get enough exercise. When I'm being an extreme a$$hole my wife will say "for god's sake go for a run" and sure enough - 4 miles down the road, everything comes right again.

I've never achieved the same euphoria on the cycle, but often get happy on long Sunday runs in the woods.

All of us in this thread can attest to the tremendous psychological and physiological benefits of aerobic exercise. To me, the real challenge is how to spread our message to the depressed, stressed, obese, etc. members of our society. I am extremely thankful that my career permits me to commute by bicycle or by commuter rail plus walking/jogging. Right after a good workout, it is hard to be mad at the world or at one's coworkers or family members.

All of us in this thread can attest to the tremendous psychological and physiological benefits of aerobic exercise. To me, the real challenge is how to spread our message to the depressed, stressed, obese, etc. members of our society. I am extremely thankful that my career permits me to commute by bicycle or by commuter rail plus walking/jogging. Right after a good workout, it is hard to be mad at the world or at one's coworkers or family members.

Well said!

A nasty, violent temper has been one of my long-time failings; it's not that I get angry at the drop of a hat; but, that on the rare occasions I *do* get mad, I have a tendency to frighten pro-wrestlers and flatten small buildings. Exercise has been a very good way for me to curb this; and since I started really keeping up with some type of physical regimen (about three years ago), I haven't really gotten to the blind-rage kill-everything-that-moves stage, and I've felt better, overall.

Since I started cycling about two weeks ago, I haven't been able to wipe the grin off of my face, and most of the people I know have asked me what I've been doing differently, as I seem happier than before.

The really great thing is that I'm using this to the benefit of those around me; I'll be rebuiliding a few older bikes for friends (and my parents), which will not only give me some good practice in dealing with non-automotive mechanical work, but will also give me the pleasure of knowing that I'm helping to do something good.